The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1887-08-30
A FATAL ACCIDENT.
Curtis Perrie Loses His Life on Young's
River.

There was a sad accident or
Young's river last Sunday morning
resulting in the death of Curtis L. A.
Perrie, a young man of extraordinary
promise and a general favorite. In
company with Otto Prael and Wilbur
Babbage, all three being about the
same age, they started to go fishing
up the Klaskanine early Sunday
morning. They were in small din
gy, none too large for one but alto
gether too small for three occupants.
When about a mile above the mouth
of the Walluski one of the boys foot
slipped and he. lurched against the
side OF the boat. which tipped over
and sent all three into the water.
They were cool and realized their po-
sition. Curtis Perrie drew Otto
Prael from under the boat and put
him on its upturned keel and also
aided his other companion to get hold
of the boat. They were then in the
water about six minutes, and he
was about to take hold of the boat
and attempt to guide it and them to
toward the shore. when the horrified
pair saw him grow purplish black in
the face and with one hand and arm
curved in the air and the other
pressed close to his breast the poor
boy sank beneath the bubbling water
which closed over his fair young life
forever.
Prael and Babbage screamed for
help. Their cries at length were
heard by A. III. Sale at his place, and
John Sale and A. e. Turlay came as
quickly as possible to their rescue. 1t
was then about half past nine: they
had been in the water about an hour
and a half and were almost dead
from exhaustion. 1t is extremely
probable that bad aid been delayed a
few moments longer there would have
been mourning in three Astoria fami-
lies instead of one.
They were brought to town as
quickly as possible and when they
told of the sinking of their unfortu-
nate comrade the Lillian was pro-
cured and a host of willing work
ers went to the spot to recover
the body. Several boats were ell
gagged in graphing for the body,
but not till quarter to five yester-
day morning was it recovered. 1t
was in the same posture as when last
seen in life. 1t was evident from
his features and the entire absence Of
water in his body that he had not
been drowned. The most probable
theory Is that in the excitement of
the moment he had burst one of the
large blood vessels of the brain. His
throat wns also gorged with blood,
and he mus have suffocated before
he reached the bottom OF the river.
Seldom has this community ex-
perienced more genuine regret
than that evinced when it was
learned that Curtis Perrie was dead.
From every lip flowed expressions of
sympathy for his mother and grand
mother, whose idol he was. Brave.
gentle and affectionate, handsome,
well-formed boy, with every promise
OF an honorable and useful manhood,
it seems hard to realize that his
young life has ended, and that moth
ing is left of him but an aching void
in the hearts OF those that knew and
loved him. Truly may it be said Of
him: "None knew him but to love
him; none named him but to praise"
On his mother, Mrs. Annie nj. Per
rie, and his grandmother, Mrs. DIR.
Trenchard, the blow falls with crush
ing force. Both ladies are complete
ly prostrated. The plain recital OF
the facts is painful duty and if any
word could tighten the grief of those
to whom in life he was dear, how
gladly would it be written.
Curtis T. A. Perrie was born May
10Th, 1870. He was general favorite
In this city, his honest face, indus
trious habits and manly bearing en-
dearing him alike to old and young.
The funeral will be at 1870 this
morning from the residence of Mrs.
DR.. Trenchard. Services will be
held at Grace Episcopal church, and
the interment will be in the family
lot in the cemetery on the hill.